Measure of a refrigerant's climate impact: charge quantity times global warming potential (GWP). The obligations under the F-gas Regulation depend on it.
The CO₂ equivalent is the measure of how strongly a refrigerant burdens the climate. Article 3, point (3) of the F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 defines a “tonne of CO₂ equivalent” as the weight of the greenhouse gases in metric tonnes multiplied by their global warming potential (GWP). The GWP states how strongly one kilogram of the gas warms over 100 years compared with one kilogram of CO₂. The values are in the annexes of the Regulation, and mixtures are calculated under Annex VI.
The calculation is simple but often done wrong, because charges are given in kilograms and thresholds in tonnes. A system with 10 kg of a refrigerant with a GWP of 2,000 contains 0.01 t times 2,000, which is 20 t of CO₂ equivalent (numbers for illustration only). The obligations depend on this amount: leak checks apply from 5 t, the intervals change at 50 t and 500 t, and from 500 t a leak detection system is mandatory. For certain other gases in Annex II, Group 1, limits in kilograms apply instead. Hermetically sealed, labeled equipment is exempt under the conditions of Article 5(1).
For cost and liability: without knowing the charge, you cannot determine the inspection interval. The figure is on the nameplate or in the system documents and belongs in the records under Article 7. When you switch to a different refrigerant or after a conversion, the classification can change. Quotes for leak checks should therefore state the classification in t CO₂ equivalent, so you can follow why one, two or four checks a year are being charged.
What matters
- Record refrigerant, charge in kg and GWP for each system, and convert to t CO₂ equivalent.
- Compare the charge on the nameplate or in the system log with your records.
- Note the source and version of the GWP values, because legal bases change.
- Have the classification and the inspection interval stated in the quote.
Suppose a building has two refrigeration systems with the same charge in kilograms but refrigerants with very different global warming potential. The first stays under 5 t CO₂ equivalent, the second is above it. Only the second needs leak checks under Article 5. The operator enters both systems with their classification and schedules checks only for the second.
In the original wording
“‘tonne of CO2 equivalent’ means a quantity of greenhouse gases expressed as the product of the weight of the greenhouse gases in metric tonnes and of their global warming potential”
“Operators and manufacturers of equipment that contains 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more of fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I […] shall ensure that the equipment is checked for leaks.”